Method and system for patella tendon realignment

Abstract

A method and system provide and use a patellar implant. The patellar implant includes a superior portion, an inferior portion opposite to the superior portion, and an anterior portion. The superior portion being configured to reside below a patellar tendon and to elevate and/or tilt the patellar tendon. The inferior portion is configured to be seated in proximity to a tibia. The anterior portion is between the superior portion and the inferior portion. The anterior portion is placed in proximity to a patella. In one aspect, the method includes inserting the implant beneath the patellar tendon and between the patella and a position at which the patellar tendon is affixed to the tibia. In this aspect, the method also includes affixing the implant.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An implant sized and configured to be inserted through an incision during a surgical procedure and affixed to a tibia at an implant location beneath the patellar tendon such that the entire implant is between an end of the tibia proximate a femur and an attachment position of the patellar tendon to the tibia, the implant comprising:
 a first portion configured to be in proximity to a patella when the implant is at the implant location; 
 a second portion opposite to the first portion; 
 a third portion having a length extending between the first portion and the second portion and a width extending between a fifth portion and a sixth portion, the third portion comprising a curved surface configured to extend over the tibia when the implant is at the implant location; 
 a fourth portion opposite to the third portion and configured to change a position of the patellar tendon by elevating or lifting the patellar tendon when the implant is at the implant location; 
 the fifth portion having a length extending between the first portion and the second portion and a height extending between the third portion and the fourth portion; and 
 the sixth portion being opposite to the fifth portion, the sixth portion having a length extending between the first portion and the second portion and a height extending between the third portion and the fourth portion, the height of the sixth portion being greater than the height of the fifth portion such that the implant has a wedge-shaped cross-section. 
 
     
     
       2. The implant of  claim 1  wherein the curved surface of the third portion extends between first and second rounded edges. 
     
     
       3. The implant of  claim 2  wherein the first and second rounded edges extend from the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
       4. The implant of  claim 1  wherein the fourth portion comprises a convex surface. 
     
     
       5. The implant of  claim 1  wherein the sixth portion comprises a flat surface. 
     
     
       6. The implant of  claim 1  further comprising an affixation mechanism. 
     
     
       7. An implant sized and configured to be inserted through an incision during a surgical procedure and affixed to a tibia at an implant location beneath the patellar tendon such that the entire implant is between an end of the tibia proximate a femur and an attachment position of the patellar tendon to the tibia, the implant comprising:
 a first portion configured to be in proximity to a patella when the implant is at the implant location; 
 a second portion opposite to the first portion; 
 a third portion having a length extending between the first portion and the second portion and a width extending between a fifth portion and a sixth portion, the third portion comprising a curved surface extending between first and second rounded edges and configured to extend over the tibia when the implant is at the implant location; 
 a fourth portion opposite to the third portion and configured to change a position of the patellar tendon by elevating or lifting the patellar tendon when the implant is at the implant location; 
 the fifth portion disposed adjacent the first rounded edge and having a length extending between the first portion and the second portion and a height extending between the third portion and the fourth portion; and 
 the sixth portion being opposite to the fifth portion, the sixth portion being disposed adjacent the second rounded edge and having a length extending between the first portion and the second portion and a height extending between the third portion and the fourth portion, the height of the sixth portion being greater than the height of the fifth portion such that the implant has a wedge-shaped cross-section. 
 
     
     
       8. The implant of  claim 7  wherein the first and second rounded edges extend from the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
       9. The implant of  claim 7  wherein the fourth portion comprises a convex surface. 
     
     
       10. The implant of  claim 7  wherein the sixth portion comprises a flat surface. 
     
     
       11. The implant of  claim 7  further comprising an affixation mechanism. 
     
     
       12. An implant sized and configured to be inserted through an incision during a surgical procedure and affixed to a tibia at an implant location beneath the patellar tendon such that the entire implant is between an end of the tibia proximate a femur and an attachment position of the patellar tendon to the tibia, the implant comprising:
 a first portion configured to be in proximity to a patella when the implant is at the implant location; 
 a second portion opposite to the first portion; 
 a third portion having a length extending between the first portion and the second portion and a width extending between a fifth portion and a sixth portion, the third portion comprising a curved surface configured to extend over the tibia when the implant is at the implant location; 
 a fourth portion opposite to the third portion and configured to change a position of the patellar tendon by elevating or lifting the patellar tendon when the implant is at the implant location, a maximum distance between the third portion and the fourth portion defining an implant height between 0.5 cm and 3 cm; 
 the fifth portion having a length extending between the first portion and the second portion and a height extending between the third portion and the fourth portion; and 
 the sixth portion being opposite to the fifth portion, the sixth portion having a length extending between the first portion and the second portion and a height extending between the third portion and the fourth portion, the height of the sixth portion being greater than the height of the fifth portion such that the implant has a wedge-shaped cross-section. 
 
     
     
       13. The implant of  claim 12  wherein a distance between the fifth portion and the sixth portion defines a width of the implant between 1 cm and 3.5 cm. 
     
     
       14. The implant of  claim 12  wherein the curved surface of the third portion extends between first and second rounded edges. 
     
     
       15. The implant of  claim 14  wherein the first and second rounded edges extend from the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
       16. The implant of  claim 12  wherein the fourth portion comprises a convex surface. 
     
     
       17. The implant of  claim 12  wherein the sixth portion comprises a flat surface. 
     
     
       18. The implant of  claim 12  further comprising an affixation mechanism.